The Horse gallops like a Dragon

The Chinese Lunar Year (of the Wooden Sheep) began yesterday. The day before, Jackie Chan’s new movie, Dragon Blade, opened nationwide. Jackie is a Horse (April 7, 1954). How does a Horse fare in the Year of the Sheep? According to the Chinese Horoscope, Horses, who are imaginative and passionate, are no slaves to trends. Expect them to mix and match or combine clashing patterns — and carry it with aplomb.

Very true. In real life as well as in reel life, Jackie is not a slave to trends. He continues to reinvent himself and to surprise his fans in every movie that he does, always “threatening” to retire but, thank goodness, never does, much to the rejoicing of his fans.

Directed by Daniel Lee, Dragon Blade (released locally by Viva Films), set in the Han Dynasty, is about the encounter between a peacekeeping squad and a lost Roman troop that accidentally ends up in China. Jackie plays Huo An, Commander of the Silk Road Protection Squad, the chief military post within Han Dynasty China, protecting its borders from invaders and the Silk Road from tribal conflict. He was raised by General Huo Qubing who found him after he was abandoned as a child on the battlefield.

Two of Jackie’s co-stars are:

•John Cusack who plays Lucius, his grandfather’s finest warrior who dedicates  his life to serving Rome’s wealthiest man, Crassus, the Consul of the Roman Empire. After Crassus is murdered, Lucius flees with Publius, Crassus’ youngest son, to protect him from his father’s assassin. He forms an unlikely alliance with Huo An.  

•Adrien Brody who plays Tiberius, Crassus’ eldest. Because Crassus favors Publius, Tiberius poisons Publius so as to secure his inheritance. When Lucius flees with Publius, he follows them. Huo An exposes Tiberius’ plot and challenges him to a one-on-one duel.

Here’s Funfare’s exclusive e-mail interview with Jackie:

Why did you decide to release Dragon Blade on Chinese New Year? Do you consider it a lucky play date? What animal (in the Chinese zodiac) are you?

“First of all, from the day we started to prep for Dragon Blade, we had decided to release it on Chinese New Year. Of course, Chinese New Year is a lucky play date because Chinese New Year is a long holiday for the Chinese and guarantees good box office. According to the Chinese zodiac, I am a Horse.”

What attracted you to the story of Dragon Blade? What did you find interesting about it?

“I was first attracted seven years ago to a documentary about Roman lost in China. Then, I decided to do some research about it. What surprised me was Daniel also working on a similar idea. Then, we decided to work on the script together. The thing that I found most interesting was how Daniel can deliver my message of peace in a commercial storyline.”

Describe your experience working (for the first time) with John Cusack and Adrien Brody.

“I enjoyed working with both John and Adrien. Both are very talented. John, who himself is a director and producer, gave a lot of input for his character. Adrien is, of course, an Oscar winner. He was very passionate about his character, too. One thing that surprised me when I first met Adrien on set was that he came all alone, no assistant. I was very impressed. John and Adrien both worked very hard on the set.”

What will we see in Dragon Blade that we haven’t seen in your past movies?

“I think it’s the way I choreographed the stunt and fight sequence. It’s an epic so my fight sequence can’t be like the usual Jackie Chan style. It has to be more down-to-earth, like the gladiators or other epic films.”

In one scene in Dragon Blade, you cry. In real life, what makes you cry?

“Hahahaha! In real life, I am very easily moved hearing stories about the under-privileged or tragedy. When I heard that  firemen in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan got killed in a fire, I cried. I donated some relief funding for them.”

You have said in interviews that you are ready to retire. Please don’t. Your fans will be sad.

“No, I didn’t say I was ready to retire. I said I am thinking of doing less ‘BIG’ action movies. I would like to do more drama, especially romantic drama. Hahahahaha!!!”

You still do risky scenes. Where do you get your energy and strength?

“I think it’s my childhood training that helps me. My foundation is good. I still work out every day.”

What’s the most difficult (most dangerous) scene that you’ve done in your career?

“There’s a lot of them. In Police Story 1, I jumped down from the shopping mall Christmas decoration; in Project A, I fell down from the clock; and in Armour of God, a simple stunt nearly killed me. All the stunts that I have done are difficult.” 

How do you maintain your body (mention diet, workout)?

“I work out every day but I don’t do diet. Just balanced diet.”

How do you maintain your being a role model around the world?

“I found myself influencing a lot of young people after Drunken Master. They followed me…they also drank and fought. That’s why I did Drunken Master 2 to correct my own mistake. From that moment onwards, I knew I had to be careful what message I deliver to my audience. Then, I started to do charity around the world. I hope through my charity projects I can influence the young generation to love our world and preserve the environment.”

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